Emirates Flight Catering Launches Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Programme

Emirates Flights Catering has launched their inaugural Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Programme with Dubai College of Tourism.  The two-year program will deliver participants with an internationally recognized Certificate III in Culinary Arts.

Emirates Flight Catering Launches Inaugural Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Programme - Courtesy Emirates

On Monday (September 22, 2025), Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) announced the launch of their inaugural Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Programme, in partnership with the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The program has been designed to provide foundational culinary skills through practical training and industry exposure, and has inducted its first group of 15 apprentices representing six nations, including the Philippines, Uganda, India, Nepal, Ghana, and Sri Lanka.

In Monday’s announcement, Emirates Flight Catering’s CEO, Shahreyar Nawabi, said,

“Culinary apprenticeships are a proven pathway into the profession, immersing trainees into the rigorous demands and rhythms of a professional environment, while they benefit from the knowledge and expertise of seasoned chefs.  Launching and growing the Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Programme at EKFC is part of our commitment to elevating standards within the constantly evolving culinary industry, cultivating home-grown talent and empowering our teams. It benefits our business and the wider industry, and it’s our contribution to Dubai’s growing culinary scene and thriving tourism landscape.  This is only the beginning, and we are committed to expanding the scope and breadth of this programme in the years ahead.”

Also commenting on the new culinary training collaboration, Essa Bin Hadher, General Manager of DCT and CEO of the Economic Strategy Sector at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said,

“Dubai College of Tourism is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of talent in the culinary and tourism sectors, and this partnership will allow us to support Emirates Flight Catering in upholding Dubai’s global reputation for hospitality, and meeting growing demand for its services.  This programme exemplifies our culture of collaboration, where partnerships with stakeholders enable us to curate and promote Dubai’s diverse offerings, as well as deliver an exceptional service to guests at all touchpoints, driving sustained growth in the industry.  We are committed to continuing this journey of innovation and excellence, further reinforcing Dubai’s position as a must-visit destination.”

The Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Programme, which started on September 1st, combines theoretical classroom instruction and training from DCT with practical, hands-on experience in Emirates Flight Catering kitchens.  Upon completion, participants earn a globally recognised Certificate III in Culinary Arts, endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Education.

The Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Programme Includes Hands-on Experience in Emirates Flight Catering Kitchens - Courtesy Emirates

Emirates Flight Catering is the largest culinary facility of its kind, covering 160,000 square meters.  The facility has a production capacity of over 250,000 meals per day, serving more than 100 airline customers in Dubai, in addition to events catering, food production and lounge catering services.

Source: Emirates